Vial loading apparatus



p 21, 1965 J. M. cozzou 3,207,286

VIAL LOADING APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 JOSEPH M. OOZZOL i z 8 INVENTOR.

A ORNEY Sept. 21, 1965 J. M. cozzoLl VIAL LOADING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5, 1963 JOSEPH M. OOZZOL/ INVENTOR .4 ORA/E) Sept. 21, 1965 J. M. cozzou VIAL LOADING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 5, 1963 JOSEPHM. OOZZOL/ INVENTOR.

Sept. 21, 1965 J. M. COZZOLI VIAL LOADING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April -5, 1963 JOSEPH M. 002201.!

INVENTOR.

azW/i gfd A 7 NE Y p 21, 1965 J. M. COZZOLI 3,207,286

VIAL LOADING APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 JOSEPH M. COZZOL INVENTOR.

AT OR/VE) United States Patent 3,207,286 VIAL LOADING APPARATUS Joseph M. Cozzoli, North Plainfield, N.J., assignor t0 Cozzoli Machine Company, Plainfield, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Apr. 5, 1963, Ser. No. 271,029 Claims. (Cl. 198-25) This invention relates to apparatus for loading bottle washing machinery and more particularly to transfer apparatus for automatically transferring bottles or vials from a receiving station onto the washing jets of a washing machine.

Apparatus, of various types, presently is available for automatically delivering bottles to a washing machine. In general, the bottles to be washed are placed in an upright position upon a conveyor, in bulk, and are moved thereon to the discharge end of the conveyor where they are separated, by suitable means, into laterally-spaced rows. The leading bottles, in each row, periodically are transferred en mass to the washing machine which is provided with suitable means for receiving the row of bottles in such manner that the interior and/ or exterior of each bottle is thoroughly washed as the bottles pass through the various washing stages of the apparatus. The means for receiving the rows of bottles and supporting them in proper position throughout the washing cycles may comprise resilient ring members for receiving the necks of the bottles or protruding washing jets upon which the bottles are positioned. In the case of small bottles, namely vials, the washing machine is provided with rows of spaced jets, each row of jets being brought to a stop for a time period sutficient to permit the proper loading of the vials thereon. During the time when the bottle-receiving jets are stationary, they are disposed substantially in a horizontal plane. Consequently, the transfer apparatus for movement of the leading row of bottles from the discharge end of the conveyor to the washing machine must effect a 90 degree rotation of the vials prior to the positioning thereof upon the corresponding jets.

Certain prior apparatus of this class utilizes a plurality of cam-actuated fingers rotatable between slots formed in stationary, arcuate guide tracks. These fingers engage the bottoms of the bottles forming the leading row on the conveyor and slide such bottles along the guide tracks to a horizontal position, from which position other pusher arms slide the bottles along a supporting surface and into position on the bottle receiving means of the washing machine. Such arrangements, however, are not adaptable for operation with small bottles, or vials, since the discharge end of the conveyor and the bottle guide tracks must provide the clearance slots within which the individual bottle pushing fingers operate.

Other apparatus has been proposed for specifically rotating vials from the upright to the horizontal position prior to the positioning of the vials upon the washing machine jets. The upstanding vials are tipped over forwardly into downwardly-inclined chutes and slide onto a horizontal conveyor which operates intermittently to move the vials toward the washing machine jets. Such arrangements, which include a gravity feed or free fall factor in the movement of the vials from the delivery conveyor to the washing machine, are not entirely satisfactory for use in the pharmaceutical industry since the probability of vial chipping increases with desirable high speed operation of the apparatus.

An object of this invention is the provision of improved apparatus for automatically loading vials on appropriate receiving means of a bottle-washing machine.

An object of this invention is the provision of apparatus for automatically transferring a row of upstanding vials from a receiving station onto horizontally-disposed washing jets of a washing machine.

An object of this invention is the provision of apparatus for loading a row of upstanding vials upon corresponding, horizontally-disposed washing jets, which apparatus is provided with a carrier having spaced pockets for receiving a row of vials when the carrier is in a first position, means rotating the carrier to a second position wherein the contained vials are disposed in substantially horizontal position in alignment with the jets, and means imparting a translatory movement to the carrier thereby to position the vials upon the jets.

An object of this invention is the provision of apparatus for automatically transferring a row of upstanding vials from a receiving station onto horizontally-disposed receiving jets of a washing machine, which apparatus is provided with adjustable means for aligning the axes of the vials with those of the receiving jets when the vials are disposed in horizontal position and safety means automatically effective to prevent possible crushing of the vials as they are positioned upon the jets.

An object of this invention is the provision of vialhandling apparatus of the class comprising an endless conveyor adapted to receive a bulk supply of vials in upstanding position and channeling means for arranging the vials in laterally-spaced rows as they are transported to the discharge end of the conveyor, said apparatus comprising a carrier having pockets for receiving a row of vials, means operating the conveyor for a pre-determined time period thereby to transfer a row of vials onto the carrier, means rotating the carrier to place the contained vials in horizontal position in alignment with the receiving jets of a washing machine, reciprocally-operable means imparting a translatory movement to the carrier thereby to position the vials upon the jets, and means returning the carrier to its initial position whereupon the conveyor is again operated to load the carrier.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and are not to be construed as defining the scope or limits of the invention, reference being had for the latter purpose to the claims which are appended hereto.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts in the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic presentation illustrating the basic operation of apparatus made in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of apparatus made in accordance with this invention and showing the transfer apparatus in the loading position, that is, with the vialcarrier in position to receive upstanding vials at the dis charge end of the conveyor;

FIGURE 3 is a similar view showing the transfer apparatus rotated counterclockwise thereby placing the vials in horizontal position and in alignment with the jets of the washing apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is a similar View showing the vial carrier fully extended with the vials positioned upon the jets;

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic presentation showing the relative arrangement of the various operative components of the apparatus;

FIGURE 6 is a similar, fragmentary view showing the transfer apparatus rotated degrees to bring the vials into horizontal position;

FIGURE 7 is similar to FIGURE 6 but showing the vial carrier fully extended; and

FIGURES 8a-c illustrate diagrammatically the action of the linkage connections between the rocker arms and the side blocks.

Reference, first, is made to the diagrammatic representation of FIGURE l, wherein there is shown a drum carrying a plurality of radially-extending nozzles, or washing jets 114.4, uniformly spaced along the drum periphery. The jet 13 is disposed in what may be termed the loading station. Those skilled in this art will understand that the drum is rotated in a timed sequence with successive jets brought to the loading station, at which point a vial 15 is positioned thereon. The drum is operated intermittently in such manner that each jet remains at the loading station for a period of time suflicient to effect a proper positioning of a vial thereon. The vial-carrying jets pass through the washing machine in an intermittent manner, the vials are subjected to various washing cycles by means of fluid sprays emanating from the jets, and the cleaned vials are unloaded at the other end of the machine.

The vials are deposited in bulk, and in upstanding position, upon an endless conveyor 16 and are thereby conveyed to the discharge end a of the conveyor. In the course of such travel, the vials pass between vertical partitions, such as the partition 17 visible in the drawing, which partitions are spaced laterally a distance somewhat greater than the diameter of the vials. In consequence, when the vials reach the discharge end of the conveyor, they are aligned in rows with succeeding vials in contact with each other. Positioned immediately adjacent to the discharge end of the conveyor 16 is a fixed platform .18 for supporting the lead vial of each row as such vials are slidably moved thereon by the pushing action of the succeeding vials carried by the conveyor. In actual practice, the movement of the conveyor is terminated during operation of a transfer mechanism, which effects a transfer of the lead vials to the washing jets.

The transfer appartus comprises a cylindrical skirt 19, having a circumferential length somewhat greater than 90 degrees and which is shown carried by a radial arm 20 rotatable around a shaft 21. A vial-carrier 22 is provided with a V-pocket 23 and a base 24 for accommodating a single vial. Such carrier is mechanically coupled to the arm 20. When the arm 20 is in the illustrated position, the carrier 22 is oriented to receive the lead vial 15 as such vial is pushed into the carrier pocket by the succeeding vials under the forward force provided by the movement of the conveyor 16.

Assuming, now, that the lead vial is positioned in the carrier pocket, the conveyor stops and the arm 20 is rotated counterclockwise 90 degrees. The contained vial now is in the horizontal position with its open end facing and. aligned with the jet 13 disposed at the loading station of the washing apparatus. At this point in the operating cycle, means (not shown in the drawing) are provided for effecting a translatory movement of the carrier 22, thereby to insert the vial 15 over the jet 13, while the arm 20 and the skirt 19 remain stationary. The carrier now is returned to its original position relative to the arm 20, after which the arm is rotated back to its initial position whereby the carrier is in a position to receive the next vial upon movement of the conveyor 16.

It is here pointed out that once the lead vial has been moved onto the carrier, control of the vial is retained throughout the transfer operation. The vial is not disturbed, relative to the carrier, during its rotation and axial travel to the jet. Hence, the vial is transported from the discharge end of the conveyor and onto the jet in a positive, safe manner with a minimum possibility of damage to the bottle or jamming of the apparatus. Attention is called to the base 24, of the carrier 22, it being noted that the vial extends somewhat beyond such base when the vial is fully positioned in the pocket 23. Thus, when the vial is rotatably moved to the horizontal position, there is no possibility of such vial, or the carrier, displacing the next succeeding vial. Also, when the apparatus is rotated, as described, the arcuate skirt 19 forms a barrier preventing possible displacement of the next lead vial into the path of travel of any moveable components during the operation of the transfer apparatus. These factors permit operation of the apparatus at higher speeds than is possible with existing apparatus of this class.

Reference, now, is made to FIGURE 2. The conveyor 16, being a woven wire, continuous belt, transports the vials toward the fixed platform 18. The partitions 17 are suspended from transverse bars 25 and serve to separate the vials into laterally-spaced rows, the lead vial of each row being suitably moved onto the stationary plaform 18 by the force applied thereto by the succeeding vials when the conveyor 16 is moving. A pair of spaced blocks 20a and 20b are secured to a tie rod 21a at the lower ends, only the rear block 20a being visible in FIG- URE 2. Spanning and secured to these blocks is a crossplate 26. The vial-carrier (that is, the verticallydisposed portion 22 provided with the V-shaped pockets) is secured to the crossplate by means of bolts and cooperating nuts in such manner that the spacing between these two members may be adjusted as required. Such spacing adjustment serves as a convenient means for adjusting the apparatus for operation with vials having a nominal diameter different from that of the illustrated vials. At the same time, such adjustment is utilized to align the vials with the receiving jets of the washing machine, when the vials are disposed in the horizontal position, all of which will become more apparent as the description proceeds.

The individual blocks 20a and 20b are slidably mounted in the respective channel members 28', 28. These channel members are secured to individual, aligned shafts, which shafts are rotatable in appropriate bearings carried by the side frames of the machine, the housing 29, carrying the bearing for the shaft associated with the forward channel member 28 being visible in the drawing. The shaft carrying the rear channel member 28' has secured thereto a gear 30 which meshes with a gear rack 31. Rotation of the gear 30, in response to translatory movement of the gear rack, results in a rotation of the structure comprising the channel members 28, 28', the blocks 20a, 20b, the carrier 22 with its base plate 24, and the arcuate skirt 19. In operation, such rotation of the structure is degrees counterclockwise whereby the row of upstanding vials (positioned within the carrier pockets and supported by the base plate 24) are oriented in the horizontal position in alignment with the receiving jets 13 of the washing machine, as is shown specifically in FIGURE 3.

With continued reference to FIGURE 2, a pair of rocker arms 33, 33' have their lower ends secured to a shaft 34 (see FIGURE 5), which shaft is rotatable by means of the rod 35 having an end coupled to a lever 36 that is secured to the shaft 34. The opposite ends of the rocker arms 33, 33' are pivotally connected to the respective blocks 20a, 201) by means of links whose pivotal axes with the arms coincide with the rotational axis of the blocks. One such link 27' is visible in FIG- URE 2. It will be apparent, therefore, that movement of the gear rack 31 rotates the vial-carrier 22 about an axis defined by the pivotal connection of the rocker arm links to the blocks 20a, 20b. In other words, a rotation of the vial-carrier is effected without movement of the rocker arms from the position shown in FIGURES 2 and 5.

Reference, now, is made to FIGURE 3, wherein the transfer apparatus is shown rotated 90 degrees, counterclockwise. It will be noted that in this position of the transfer apparatus, the arcuate skirt 19 provides an effective barrier to prevent accidental movement of the vials, supported by the fixed platform 18, into the path of movement of the transfer apparatus. It will also be noted that a portion of each vial extends beyond the side edge of the carrier base plate 24. Consequently, the vials overhang the base plate when the transfer apparatus,

5. is in the vial-loading position, see FIGURES 1 and 2. The movement of the conveyor is stopped before movement of the carrier commences, thereby relieving the back pressure on the pocketed vials. This action, together with the described arrangement, precludes the possibility of the next-in-line vials from lifting or jackknifing out of position as the transfer apparatus is rotated between its first and second positions, as respectively shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. Also visible in FIG- URE 3 is the crossplate 26 to which the vial-carrier member 22 is secured. As stated hereinabove, the lateral spacing between the crossplate 26 and the pocket-containing member 22 is adjustable, by means of shims, for example, thereby to align the axes of the now-horizontal vials and the receiving jets 13. I

After the transfer apparatus has been rotated to its second position, as shown in FIGURE 3, the rocker. arms are rotated thereby imparting a linear movement to the vial-carrier toward the receiving jets. Such forward movement of the vial-carrier is adjustable and is pre-set to properly position each vial of a given length over the corresponding jet, as is shown in FIGURE 4. Thereafter, the rocker arms are rotated in the reverse direction returning the vial-carrier to the position shown in FIG- URE 3, after which the transfer apparatus is rotated 90 degrees clockwise to its original vial-loading position as shown in FIGURE 2. Upon return of the transfer apparatus to its original position, the conveyor is operated whereby the next row of vials is slidably moved into the pockets of the vial-carrier.

Reference, now, is made to the diagrammatic representations of FIGURES -7 for a description of the operation of the machine. Parts which have heretofore been identified carry the same reference numerals and parts unnecessary for an understanding of machine operation are omitted. Also, although the diagrammatic representations of FIGURES 5-7 show the necessary components and their relative cooperative assembly, it will be understood that the illustrated assembly of the components differs from that in the actual machine.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the transfer apparatus T in the first, or starting position, that is, with the vial-carrier positioned in the vial-loading position. Power for the vial loader is supplied by a chain 41 which drives the sprocket 42, the latter being secured to the drive shaft 43. It is here pointed out that the vial loader must be timed with the index movements of the washing jets. Therefore, it is preferable to drive the vial loader from the washing machine so that adjustment or variation in the washing machine speed results in a corresponding variation in the speed of the loader. Also secured to the drive shaft are crank 44 and cams 45 and 46. The crank 44 and the star-wheel member 47 form a fourstation Geneva mechanism whereby one revolution of the crank 44 results in a quarter revolution of the member 47 and the sprocket 48, said sprocket and member 47 being secured to the shaft 49. The ratio between the sprocket 48 and the conveyor drive sprocket 48 is such that the conveyor 16 advances a given distance (sufiicient to move the lead row of vials into the pockets of the vial-carrier 22) and then stops, it being here assumed such lead row of vials has been moved onto the fixed plate 18 during the previous cycle of intermittent conveyor operation. During that portion of the operating cycle when the conveyor is stationary, the complete operation of the transfer apparatus takes place.

First, the cam 45 rotates to its high point thereby forcing the associated roller 50 to move to the right. This roller is carried by the rectangular slider 51 and bears upon the peripheral surface of the cam. The slider 51 yokes the shaft 43 and is rigidly secured to the gear rack 31. Thus, the clockwise rotation of the cam 45 results in a movement of the gear rack to the right, thereby imparting a 90 degree, counterclockwise rotation to the gear 30. The gear and the channel member 28 are secured to the shaft 52 whereby these components rotate as a unit. Although the other channel member 28' is secured to a separate shaft that is co-axial with the shaft 52, the tie rod 21 and the crossplate 26 (both visible in FIGURE 2 but not shown in FIGURE 5), as well as the arcuate metal skirt 19, form a unitary structure rotatable about the axis defined by the shaft 52. Thus, movement of the gear rack, as described, rotates the transfer apparatus to its second position as shown in FIGURE 6. During such angular rotation, the rocker arms 33, 33' remain in the original position. These rocker arms are pivotally secured to the associated slide blocks 40, (which blocks here represent the corresponding blocks 20a, 20b visible in FIGURE 2) by individual links, as will be described hereinbelow with specific reference to FIGURES 801-0.

The roller 50 remains on the high point of the cam for approximately one-half of the cam revolution whereby the transfer apparatus remains in the rotated, second position for a corresponding time period. During this time period, the cam 46 rotates to the point where the associated roller 53 dwells upon the high portion of the cam. This roller is mounted on the slider 54, which slider is spring-biased to the right by a spring 55 having one end secured to a fixed part of the machine. Thus, the spring force, acting upon the slider 54, causes the roller to follow the cam contour from the high part to the low point. The lever 36 is secured to the rocker arm shaft 34 and is mechanically connected to the slider 54 by the rod 35. Hence, movement of the slider to the right results in a predetermined counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 34 and a correresponding rotation of the rocker arms 33, 331 Such rocker arm rotation causes the slide blocks 40, 40' to slide, outwardly of the supporting channel members 28, 28', thereby yieldingly advancing the vial-carrier (as shown in FIGURE 7) toward the jets of the washing machine. When the vial-carrier is fully extended, the vials are positioned on the jets whereupon the jets are indexed (by means not shown in the drawings) to the next position in their travel through the washing machine. Once the loaded jets move, the vials are supported thereon and the empty vial-carrier is returned to its initial position shown in FIGURE 6. This is accomplished by the continuously-rotating cam 46 which now forces the associated roller 53 and the slider 54 to move to the left, under power, thereby imparting a clockwise rotation to the rocker arms.

Shortly after the vial-carrier is returned to its initial position, the lower portion of the cam 45 is presented to the associated roller permitting movement of the gear rack 31 to the left, under the influence of the counterweight 59, which rotates the transfer apparatus in a clockwise direction back to the vial-loading position shown in FIGURE 5. It will be noted that movement of the gear rack to the right, to effect a counterclockwise rotation of the transfer apparatus, is power driven inasmuch as the rotating cam 45 forces the roller 50 to move to the right as it rides up onto the high portion of the cam. However, the reverse rotation of the transfer apparatus is effected under the action of gravity acting upon the counterweight 59 suspended from the arcuate skirt 19. It is here pointed out that several such counterweights are distributed along the skirt, see FIG- URE 2. The counterweights are suspended from points slightly to the right of the rotational axis of the transfer apparatus when the transfer apparatus is in the vialloading position shown in FIGURE 5. Thus, in this position of the transfer apparatus, the effect of the counterweights upon counterclockwise rotation of the transfer apparatus is a minimum. However, when the transfer apparatus is in the second position, as shown in'FIGURE 6, such effect of the counterweights is a maximum. Since the counterclockwise rotation of the transfer apparatus is power driven, the effect of the counterweights against such rotation may be discounted. When the transfer apparatus is to be rotated in the clockwise direction, that is, when the cam 45 has rotated to the point where the reduced-diameter contour of the cam is presented to the roller 50, the clockwise torque exerted on the transfer mechanism by the counterweights tends to move the gear rack 31 to the left as the roller 50 follows the slope of the cam. Since the return movement of the transfer mechanism is not power-driven, should anything prevent completion of the return movement no damage or breakage results.

It will also be noted, from a study of FIGURE 5, that the counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 34, carrying the rocker arms, is effected by the spring 55 which normally causes the roller 53 to follow the contour of the cam 46. Consequently, any obstruction preventing the linear movement of the vial-carrier toward the washing machine jets will merely prevent the roller from following the cam contour which, obviously, removes the normal driving force applied to the rocker arms. This is an important practical feature as any misalignment of a vial relative to the associated jet, or the appearance of an exceptionally long vial on the vial-carrier, merely results in no further advance of the vial-carrier without in any other way interfering with the normal operating cycle of the apparatus. Vial breakage, under such conditions, is eliminated. In fact, this safety arrangement prevents damage which may otherwise occur under any condition interfering with the forward, linear movement of the vial-carrier. On the other hand, the return movement of the vial-carrier is effected under positive power since the slider 54 must move to the left as the roller 53 is forced to the left by the rising slope of the cam. Such positive drive of the vial-carrier to its initial position assures the proper positioning of the vial-carrier when the transfer apparatus is in the vial-receiving position.

Attention also is directed to the stop 58 which is positioned in the path of travel of the lever 57 secured to the rocker arm shaft 34. This stop is adjustable to limit the forward movement of the vial-carrier for the proper insertion of the vials over the receiving jets. Obviously, the maximum forward movement of the vial-carrier will depend upon the axial length of the particular vials.

As mentioned hereinabove, it is desirable to provide means for aligning the axes of the particular vials, when in the horizontal position, with the axes of the receiving jets. This can be done by means of suitable shims 60 positioned between the pocket portion 22 of the carrier and its supporting means, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7.

The pivotal linkage connections between the rocker arms and the slide blocks are illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURES 80-80 to which reference now is made. FIGURE 8a illustrates the relative positions of the pertinent members when the transfer mechanism is in the vial-loading, or first position (corresponding to FIGURES 2 and 5). The lever 36 and the lower end of the rocker arm 33 are secured to the shaft 34, whereas the upper end of the rocker arm is pivotally connected to the link 27. The other end of the link 27 is pivotally connected to the slide block 40 which is mounted for sliding movement within the channel member 28. It will be clear, therefore, that the channel member 28, the slide block 40 and the link 27 are rotatable as a unit about the axis d passing through the pivot connection between the rocker arm and the link, such axis corresponding to that of the shaft 52 shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8b shows the transfer mechanism rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise (corresponding to FIGURES 3 and 6). Since such rotation is about the axis d, the rocker arm remains in its original position. The rod 35 now is moved to the right, thereby rotating the rocker arm counterclockwise about the shaft 34 and causing the slide block 40 to slide outwardly of the channel member 28,

as shown in FIGURE (corresponding to FIGURES 4 and 7). Although the top of the rocker arm moves along an arc, the slide block has a straight line movement. The link 27 permits such movements while maintaining a positive connection between the rocker arm and the slide block.

In summary, then, the power-driven sprocket 42 (FIG- URE 5) and the drive shaft 43 rotate continuously during machine operation. The conveyor is operated intermittently to advance the vials toward the transfer apparatus and thereby load the vial-carrier. Upon termination of conveyor movement, the transfer apparatus is rotated degrees counterclockwise to place the contained vials in horizontal position and in alignment with the jets, after which the vial-carrier is advanced toward the jets. During such movement of the vial-carrier, the jets are stationary. After the vials have been positioned over the jets, the vial-carrier is returned to its initial position and the transfer apparatus rotated clockwise to its first position wherein the vial-carrier is in the vial-loading position, after which the conveyor is again operated to load another row of vials on the carrier.

Control of the vials is retained throughout the transfer operation. Once the vials are moved onto the carrier, they are not disturbed relative to the carrier during their orienting and axial travel to the jets. There is no free falling of the vials from upright to horizontal position and the entire row of contained vials moves as a unit. Inasmuch as the vials are held captive at all times, the vial loader may be operated at high speeds with the possibility of vial damage reduced to a minimum. The described apparatus is particularly adapted for operation with small vials and may be conditioned easily and quickly for operation with vials of different nominal diameter and/or length. The V-shaped pockets of the vial-carrier allow for considerable variations in the actual size of the particular vials without adverse effect upon machine operation. The vial-receiving pockets are provided on a unitary member that is bolted in place on the transfer apparatus. Such member is readily replaced by a similar member having pockets of rectangular, or other configuration conforming to the shape of the particular vials or bottles.

Having now described the invention in detail, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making various changes and modifications to adapt the apparatus for use in specific applications. It is intended that such changes and modifications shall fall within the scope and spirit of the invention as recited in the following claims.

I claim:

1. Transfer apparatus for loading upstanding vials onto horizontally-disposed receiving members of a washing machine comprising,

(a) a supporting structure mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis between first and second positions,

(b) an elongated vial-carrier carried by said structure, said carrier being provided with spaced pockets for receiving a row of upstanding vials when the said structure is in the first position,

(c) means for rotating the structure to the second position wherein received vials are disposed in horizonal position in alignment with the said receiving members, said means retaining the structure in the second position for a predetermined time period,

(d) means effective during the said predetermined time period to bodily reciprocate the vial carrier alternately from an initial position on the carrier, toward the receiving members to place said received vials thereon, and thereafter return the vial-carrier to said initial position,

(e) means effective upon said return of the vial-carrier to the said initial position to rotate the supporting structure to its first position, so that the vial-carr-ier may receive another row of upstanding vials.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein the said supporting structure comprises spaced channel members, and the said vial-carrier is secured to slide members slidable within said channel members, and wherein the said means to bodily reciprocate the vial-carrier comprises,

(a) a shaft parallel to the rotational axis of said supporting structure,

(b) a pair of rocker arms each having an end secured to the said shaft,

() means pivotally connecting the other end of the rocker arms to the associated slide member, and

(d) means rotating said shaft a predetermined distance first in one direction and then the reverse direction.

3. The invention as recited in claim 2, wherein the means rotating said shaft comprises,

(a) a rod having an end secured to said shaft at a point spaced from the shaft axis,

(b) a sliding member secured to the other end of said rod,

(c) a cam,

(d) a roller mounted to said sliding member and positioned to track said cam,

(e) a spring biasing the said sliding member in a direction to retain the said roller in engagement with the cam peripheral surface, and

(f) power means rotating said cam.

4. Transfer apparatus for loading upstanding vials onto horizontally-disposed jets of a washing machine comprising,

(a)a rotatable supporting structure comprising an arcuate skirt secured to a pair of spaced channel members,

(b) means mounting said structure for rotation about a horizontal axis between first and second positions,

(c) a pair of slide members, each member being slid- =able in an associated channel member,

(d) a vial-carrier comprising an elongated member provided with spaced vial-receiving pockets disposed over a base plate,

(e) means securing the vial-carrier to the said slide members in such manner that the vial-receiving pockets are vertically disposed to receive a row of upstanding vials when said supporting structure is in the first position,

(f) means rotating the supporting structure to the second position wherein the received vials are disposed in horizontal position in alignment with the said jets, said means retaining the structure in the second position for a predetermined period of time, and

(g) means effecting a translatory movement of the vialcarrier toward the jets to place the received vials thereon during the time the supporting structure is in the second position.

5. The invention as recited in claim 4, wherein the means effecting a translatory movement of the vial-carrier comprises,

(a) a shaft having a pair of rocker arms secured thereto,

(b) means pivotally-connecting each rocker arm to an associate one of said slide members, and

(c) means imparting a forward and reverse rotation to said shaft between predetermined limits.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,772,418 8/30 Fowler.

1,859,238 5/32 Gruetter.

1,870,504 8/32 Gruetter 19820 2,128,192 8/39 Risser 19825 2,687,203 8/54 Ladewig 198-25 2,837,199 6/58 Ladewig 198-24 X 2,861,670 11/58 Read et al. 19825 2,935,173 5/60 Cozzoli 19833.4 X

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM B. LA BORDE, Examiner. 

1. TRANSFER APPARATUS FOR LOADING UPSTANDING VIALS ONTO HORIZONTALLY-DISPOSED RECEIVING MEMBERS OF A WASHING MACHAINE COMPRISING, (A) A SUPPORTING STRUCTURE MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT AHORIZONTAL AXIS BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS, (B) AN ELONGATED VIAL-CARRIER CARRIED BY SAID STRUCTURE, SAID CARRIER BEING PROVIDED WITH SPACED POCKETS FOR RECEIVING A ROW OF UPSTANDING VIALS WHEN THE SAID STRUCTURE IS IN THE FIRST POSITION, (C) MEANS FOR ROTATING THE STRUCTURE TO THE SECOND POSITION WHEEIN RECEIVED VIALS ARE DISPOSED IN HORIZONTAL POSITION IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE SAID RECEIVING MEMBERS, SAID MEANS RETAINING THE STRUCTURE IN THE SECOND POSITION FOR A PREDETERMINED TIME PERIOD, (D) MEANS EFFECTIVE DURING THE SAID PREDETERMINED TIME PERIOD TO BODILY RECIPROCATE THE VIAL CARRIER ALTERNATELY FROM AN INITIAL POSITION ON THE CARRIER, TOWARD THE RECEIVING MEMBERS TO PLACE SAID RECEIVED VIALS THEREON, AND THEREAFTER RETURN THE VIAL-CARRIER TO SAID INITIAL POSITION, (E) MEANS EFFECTIVE UPON SAID RETURN OF THE VIAL-CARRIER TO THE SAID INITIAL POSITION TO ROTATE THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE TO ITS FIRST POSITION, SO THAT THE VIAL-CARRIER MAY RECEIVE ANOTHER ROW OF UPSTANDING VIALS. 